ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Local boutiques will be bringing the runway into your living room, as a fall fashion fundraiser will be taking place virtually Thursday evening with all money raised going to the organization Equality Florida.
Volunteer models were practicing their struts and turns inside Jackie Z Style Co in St Pete. It’s one of 10 small independent businesses in Tampa Bay to show off their fall fashions.
“So we are actually setting up a laptop right in front of our little Jackie Z wall and we are going to have the models come out in the store, and we are going to try to make it as fun as we can, have them stride in front of the laptop and show us what they got and show different styles for fall fashion in Florida,” said owner Jackie Zumba.
The entire event is free and can be watched online at www.eqfl.org.
If the audience enjoys the show they are asked to make a donation to Equality Florida, the largest LGBT advocacy group in the state.
“This gives our local businesses an opportunity to shine, so many businesses have helped Equality Florida to become the organization that it is,” said Todd Richardson, with Equality Florida.
“Stores are faltering left and right, even big box stores, so now we have to join together with our community so when this is all over we can resume life as normal,” said Zumba.
Jackie Z Style Co’s new Sundial location was only open two weeks before they had to shutdown due to the pandemic. They appreciate the much needed attention this event will attract.
“We believe in inclusion and diversity and are happy to help everybody find their perfect look and perfect fashion statement that suits them and doing this event will get us out there and people can shop all the looks they are seeing directly on our website,” said Zumba.
The event starts at 6 p.m. You can RSVP at https://bit.ly/2DEMEXO.
The non-profit organization says fashion is a fun and fitting way to highlight a very serious topic.
“Until everyone can live in peace we are going to keep doing what we do,” said Richardson.
